New faces join veteran actors for Christmas season . . .
Actors Theatre of Indiana has announced the cast for the upcoming holiday hit, It’s a Wonderful Life – A Live Radio Play, scheduled to run from Nov. 16 to Dec. 23 at the Studio Theater in Carmel at the Center for the Performing Arts.
A number of new and youthful faces will join a cast of veteran actors in this wonderful production that is sure to get you into the holiday mode.
In a tribute to both live radio and the beloved Frank Capra American holiday classic film, this endearing and iconic tale comes to captivating life as a live 1940s radio broadcast – and you, the audience, will be right there in the studio.
With the help of an ensemble that brings dozens of familiar characters to the stage, the story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve. It will take the help of the lovable angel, Clarence, to show George what life would be like if he wasn’t born, guiding him to a change of heart and understanding the true spirit of Christmas.
Remember: “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings.”
Cast
- Freddie Filmore – Adam Crowe
- Jake Laurents – Paul Tavianini*
- Sally Applewhite – Judy Fitzgerald*
- Lana Sherwood – Cynthia Collins*
- Harry Heywood – Don Farrell*
- Young George – Luca Arive
- Young Mary – Sadie Cohen
- Young Harry – Lincoln Everitt
- Zuzu – Annabelle Pfeiffer
- Art Foley – Sherman Burdette
* Designates member of Actors’ Equity Association
Meet the Cast
Adam O. Crowe (Freddie Filmore) is delighted to return to Actors Theatre of Indiana, where he last appeared in The Odd Couple. A graduate of Wabash College, Adam has been a part of the Central Indiana Theater scene for more than 20 years, with appearances at Beef & Boards Dinner Theater, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Bloomington’s Cardinal Stage, Phoenix Theatre, Jewish Theatre of Bloomington, Indy Shakespeare, and NoExit. A native of Logansport, Adam is thankful for all the patrons who support live theater in Central Indiana.
Paul Tavianini (Jake Laurents) is thrilled to be making his ATI debut with It’s a Wonderful Life. Recent work includes Bright Star (Daddy Murphy) at the Phoenix Theatre Company and A Raisin in the Sun (Karl Lindner) at IRT. Regionally, he has appeared with the Merrimack Repertory Theatre, Nora Theatre and Huntington Theatre companies in Boston; Hippodrome Theatre Company in Gainesville, Fla.; Capital Repertory Theatre in Albany, N.Y.; the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre; and A Noise Within in Los Angeles. He has appeared on Law & Order, the Discovery Channel series Kidnap and Rescue, and is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA and Actors Equity Association.
Judy Fitzgerald (Sally Applewhite) is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. Credits include: Radio City Music Hall w/ Glenn Close, Madison Square Garden w/ Liza Minnelli and Danny Burstein (conducted by Marvin Hamlisch). National Tour with Debbie Reynolds, Shirley Jones and Omar Sharif. Off-Broadway: Swingtime Canteen w/Tony Award-winner, Charles Busch (Blue Angel); Placido Domingo’s operetta VLAD (Lamb’s Theatre); Dodsworth with John Collum, George Lee Andrews, Dee Hoty (York Theatre, John Houseman Theatre); Irene (Sylvia and Danny Kaye Playhouse); Face the Music, That’s The Ticket! with Tony Award-winner George S. Irving (Musicals Tonight! Series). Other credits include Regional Theatre, Summer Stock, Dinner Theatre, Cabaret, Industrials. As a co-founder of Actors Theatre of Indiana, Judy was last seen on the ATI stage as Princess Puffer in The Mystery of Edwin Drood. She resides in Carmel with her partner Cindy Collins and their daughter Lizzie.
Cynthia Collins (Lana Sherwood) has been a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association since 1991. Her Off-Broadway credits include: Fifty Million Frenchmen, Face The Music, Jubilee, That’s The Ticket with Tony Award winner George S. Irving (Musicals Tonight Series); Valentino, The Musical at the Judith Anderson Theatre; Lone Star Cafe at The Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre and Gigi at Equity Library Theatre directed by Gerard Alessandrini, creator of the famed Forbidden Broadway. Cindy has toured nationally in Singin’ In The Rain and internationally in My Fair Lady as well as multiple Cruise Line appearances. She has worked Regional, Summer Stock and Dinner Theatre. Her television/film credits include: Law & Order, Law & Order SVU, Ed, Sex and The City, OZ, Die Hard III, Sabrina, Maid in Manhattan, The Thomas Crown Affair, When I Grow Up, Hide & Seek, Zoolander and Coyote Ugly. She has had the pleasure of working with such artists as Ben Vereen, Sandy Duncan, Claude Aikins, Comden & Green, Cy Coleman, Avery Schrieber, Joel Grey, Cyndi Lauper, Fred Waring and his famous Pennsylvanians, Chita Rivera, Sutton Foster, Diane Rehm (NPR‘s The Diane Rehm Show). As co-founder and Associate Artistic Director of Actors Theatre of Indiana, she was last seen on the ATI stage as Drood in The Mystery of Edwin Drood. A native of Livingston, N.J., and longtime resident of New York City, Cindy currently resides in Carmel with her partner Judy Fitzgerald and their daughter Lizzie.
Don Farrell (Harry Heywood) has 31-plus years working as a professional singer, dancer, actor, director, choreographer and producer with credits that include Off-Broadway, International and National Tour, Las Vegas, Regional productions and concerts with major national symphonies. Don made his Off-Broadway debut as Jimmy O’Flaherty at the Sylvia & Danny Kaye Playhouse in Irene starring Lee Roy Reams, George S. Irving and Ruth Warrick. He has originated the following world premiere roles of “Louis” in Last of the Red-Hot Mamas, the Sophie Tucker Revue-sical, “Ruby Waxman” in TUNING IN and Inspired Lunacy at the Florida Studio Theatre. For Actors Theatre of Indiana include: A Comedy of Tenors (Tito/Beppo), Million Dollar Quartet (Sam Phillips), La Cage Aux Folles (Albin/Zaza), Sweeney Todd (Sweeney), A Year with Frog and Toad (Toad), The Odd Couple (Oscar Madison), among others. Other favorite roles include MAMMA MIA! (Harry Bright) and Into the Woods (The Baker) both at Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre and Damn Yankees! (Mr. Applegate) for the Indiana Theatre Festival. A graduate of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Don is a co-founder of Actors Theatre of Indiana and serves as its Artistic Director.
Luca Arive (Young George) is proud to be joining the cast of It’s a Wonderful Life – the Live Radio Play. Luca lives in Indianapolis with his family and attends Eastwood Middle School. He is in eighth grade and his favorite subjects are Individuals & Societies and Choir. Luca first appeared on stage at the age of 11 as Lil’ Yonkers in Gypsy at Anderson University. Luca enjoys running cross country for Eastwood and has recently joined a swim team. Luca would like to thank his family for their love and support. He also thanks Actors Theatre of Indiana for allowing him to enjoy this valuable experience.
Sadie Cohen (Young Mary) is thrilled to be making her ATI debut in It’s a Wonderful Life. Sadie most recently appeared in Fun Home as Small Alison (Ball State DOT&D). Some of Sadie’s other favorite credits include Annie (Beef and Boards), Joseph… (Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre) and The King and I (Brebeuf Theatre). A fourth grader from Carmel, Sadie enjoys piano, karate, dancing and playing with her dog, Hamilton, and cats, Belle and Chewbacca. Special thanks to Don, Cynthia and Judy for this exciting opportunity. Happy Holidays and enjoy the show! XXOO Mom, Dad & Evan. Follow her at sadie-cohen.com.
Lincoln Everitt (Young Harry) is thrilled to be performing at Actors Theatre of Indiana for the first time. He is a fourth grader at St. Richard’s Episcopal School and has been singing and dancing ballet since age two. He has performed in several shows here in Indiana. Roles include Edgar aka Little Boy in Ragtime (CCP), Children’s Chorus in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Beef & Boards/Civic), the Magic Carpet in Aladdin (WTCT), Ensemble in Brigadoon (Footlite) and The Nutcracker (IBC). He would like to thank the cast and crew of It’s a Wonderful Life – A Live Radio Play for allowing him to shine. He would also like to thank his mom, Nana, Poppy and Rebecca McConnell for supporting and nurturing his love for theatre.
Annabelle Pfeiffer (Zuzu) is 10 years old and in the fourth grade. She is very excited for her first performance with ATI. Her previous roles include young Nala in The Lion King Jr. and the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz. She’s also performed in The Sound of Music and Charlotte’s Web. She loves to play piano, volleyball and softball. She spends a lot of time with her friends. She does the best she can in school and is very responsible. She loves to read and sing, and she hates math.
Sherman Burdette (Art Foley) is the two-time Emmy winning Host/Reporter/Producer for ‘Where is Sherman’ on Fox59 Morning News. His ‘Where is Sherman’ segments highlight special events, what’s new, what’s trending and just about anything and everything fun around Central Indiana. He is a veteran in local TV news and has worked in seven TV markets around the country. Sherman also has a background in acting, most recently in local film productions. This is his first stage production in many years. Sherman was born and raised in Indianapolis and attended IPS No. 43 and Broad Ripple High School. He’s a graduate of Ball State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Telecommunications.
About Actors Theatre of Indiana
Actors Theatre of Indiana was co-founded in 2005 by Cynthia Collins, Don Farrell and Judy Fitzgerald with a mission to celebrate the power of theater and contribute to life in central Indiana by offering high-quality professional theater performances and programs that engage, inspire, educate and entertain. One of only four Equity Theater companies in central Indiana, Actors Theatre of Indiana is the resident professional theater company of The Studio Theater at The Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel and has provided 13 seasons of high-powered musical theater productions, world premieres and innovative community works.
Visit ATI on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. For more information on schedules, educational initiatives and ways you can order tickets, visit atistage.org.